New Jersey Youth Theatre State Recognized for Excellence in Theatre Arts Training

2014 NJYT Production of Oklahoma! Erica Morreale (Laurie), Mason Kugelman (Curly)

2014-2015 Performing Arts Classes (for Ages 8 to 21+) STUDIO LOCATION: 172 W. Westfield Avenue, Roselle Park, NJ 07204 Office: 908-233-3200 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.njyouththeatre.org A Nonprofit Professional Youth-Theatre Company

September 2014 Dear Students and Families, The New Jersey Youth Theatre (NJYT), formerly WYACT, is proud to once again begin its Fall semester of Theatre-Arts Classes for our expanding population of talented students and instructors from around the state and beyond. Throughout the next eight months (two semesters) of training, we look forward to providing an excellent learning opportunity for all students (age 8 – 21+) interested in developing performing arts skills. Our professional teaching staff will provide instruction in the disciplines and techniques of dance, drama, musical theatre and vocal performance. Our students will gain the self-confidence and competency that not only helps them to pursue a career in theatre, if they so choose, but also to face life’s challenges. Our training will instill in each student a life-long appreciation of the arts. Founded in 1991, NJYT is celebrated today as one of the finest youth-theatre companies in the State of New Jersey. It is recognized by the New Jersey State Council On The Arts and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation for providing the highest quality theatre-arts education, in both performing and technical areas, to aspiring young talent. Since 1992, NJYT’s free summer program continues to produce full-scale, professional theatre productions with all-youth casts and youth orchestras in professional theatres throughout New Jersey. This endeavor has introduced to young participants, and the population at large, not only cultural and classic theatrical events, but also lesser-known significant works rarely presented in the State. Last summer, in collaboration with the Algonquin Arts Theater in Manasquan and the Bickford Theatre in Morristown, NJYT presented the American musical classic, Oklahoma!, Music by Richard Rodgers, Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Based on Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs, Oklahoma! was the first collaboration between Rodgers and Hammerstein, and in many ways, their most innovative, setting the standards and establishing the rules of musical theatre still being followed today. It was the first show to fully integrate songs and dances to tell the story and progress the plot. The show opened on March 31, 1943 and became a box-office smash. The 1955 film adaptation was an Academy-Award winner and Rodgers and Hammerstein won a special Pulitzer Prize for Oklahoma! in 1944. The NJYT production this past season won critical acclaim, featured an all-youth cast, and played to more than five thousand people. Our participants in past productions have gone on to Broadway, prime-time television, movies and to major regional theatres across the country. As important, many have gone into first-rate theatre-arts programs at major colleges and universities. We are very proud of our students, past and present, and continue to encourage them to strive for goals they previously thought unattainable. Our motto holds true: “Anything Is Possible!” Sincerely,

Cynthia Meryl Artistic Director A Nonprofit Professional Youth-Theatre Company

REGISTRATION & OTHER KEY INFORMATION

Class Registration: Wed. & Thur., September 10, 11, 17 & 18, 2014; 4 PM to 8 PM Registration & Studio Location: 172 W. Westfield Avenue, Roselle Park, NJ 07204 For General Information, Call Office: 908-233-3200 between 10 AM & 4 PM, Mon-Fri; or Studio: 908-620-2000, between 4 PM & 8 PM, Mon-Wed Billing Address: 656 Westfield Avenue, Westfield, NJ 07090 For Billing Questions, call 908-233-3200 School Year: Semester (1) October 6, 2014 thru January 21, 2015; Semester (2) January 26, 2015 thru May 6, 2015 Parent Viewing: November 17 thru 19, 2014; February 9 thru 11, 2015 (Dates subject to change)

Student Recital (“The Cabaret”): Saturday, May 2, 2015: Location: Hillcrest Academy/Westlake School, 1571 Lambert’s Mill Road in Westfield, NJ. (Parents and Students, refer to “School Policies”)

The Cabaret: Auditions: Week of March 16, 2015

Students will audition in their respective class(es)

Technical Rehearsal1: (at Cabaret Location) Friday, April 24, 2015, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Dress Rehearsals1: (at Cabaret Location): Saturday, May 2, 2015 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM – Cabaret performers (ages 12-18) 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM – Cabaret performers (ages 8-12) Performances: Saturday, May 2, 2015 5:00 PM Curtain – Cabaret performers (ages 8-12) 8:00 PM Curtain – Cabaret performers (ages 12-18) Tickets: $20-Adult; $10-Youngsters (under age 18) Class Vacation Schedule: Wed., Nov. 26, 2014 (Thanksgiving Recess) Wed, Dec. 24 -.31, 2014 (Christmas Break) Thur., January 1, 2015 (New Year’s Day) Mon., Jan. 19, 2015 (Martin Luther King Day) Mon., Feb. 16, 2015 (Presidents' Day Break) Mon., April 6 - 8, 2015 (Spring Break) 1 - ATTENDENCE AT TECHNICAL AND DRESS REHEARSALS IS MANDATORY FOR ALL STUDENTS IN THE CABARET.

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DANCE CLASSES Ballet I: Learn the standard ballet vocabulary, the positions, port de bras, and other ballet techniques. This class consists of work at the barre, combinations in center-floor and across the floor. Students develop flexibility, strength, discipline, and a good technical foundation, the elements necessary for all forms of dance. Dress Code - Ladies: black leotard, pink tights, ballet shoes, hair securely pulled back off the face; Gentlemen: T-shirt, dance pants, ballet flats or jazz shoes. Open Ballet: This class is designed to enhance a student’s basic technique and classical ballet training. Various levels of experience are accommodated in the class, from beginners to advanced. This class is especially beneficial to drama and musical theatre high school/college students who have never studied ballet and need the technique to enhance their other performing arts skills. Dress Code – Same as Ballet I. Ballet-Jazz I & II: These combination classes of ballet and jazz technique cover isolations, flexibility and strength exercises, with strong emphasis on turns, combinations in centerfloor and across the floor that engage styles of jazz, funk, and Broadway dance from musical theatre productions. Prerequisite: For Ballet-Jazz I, you must be at least eleven years of age with a minimum of two consecutive years of Ballet within the last three years. Ballet-Jazz II is more advanced. Dress Code – Ladies: dance pants can be added to the ballet attire, jazz shoes or sneakers (nothing bulky); Gentlemen: T-shirt, dance pants, and jazz shoes or sneakers (nothing bulky). Beginners’ Tap I: Learn tap vocabulary, basic tap steps and rhythms. This class starts with tap exercises at the barre, then moves to center-floor and across the floor covering simple combinations and turns; Tap II is slightly more advanced. Dress Code – Ladies: any color leotard and tights or t-shirt and dance pants, tap shoes; Gentlemen: T-shirt and dance pants, tap shoes. Tap II/III: This class goes beyond Beginners’ Tap I. Students focus on syncopated rhythms and syllables, more complex combinations and turns in center-floor and across the floor. Prerequisite: Minimum of two consecutive years of Beginners’ Tap. Dress Code – Same as Beginners’ Tap I. DRAMA, MUSICAL THEATRE & VOICE CLASSES Drama: The art and technique of Acting. The various levels of drama classes focus on improvisation, character development and scene study. The beginning levels concentrate on basic skills, technique, losing inhibitions, and the building of confidence as a performer. Dress Code – Comfortable clothing, rubber-soled shoes. Students seeking the Intermediate-II/Advanced Acting class are required to audition for the class. Audition Date: October 6, 2014; Audition Requisite: Prepare a monologue of at least one-minute in length. Student must be “off book.”

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Musical Theatre: Various levels of Musical Theatre classes focus on song selection, presentation and interpretation for audition and performance; ensemble work; voice technique/projection; musical theatre movement and dance. Prerequisite: Student is required to take at least one dance class per week (at least one year of ballet) in conjunction with this class. Good working knowledge of dance vocabulary and proper dance technique is essential. Dress Code – any color leotard and tights, jazz pants (optional), jazz shoes, (NO JEANS). Voice: Private, individual voice classes concentrate on vocal technique, song selection, interpretation, coaching, and college audition preparation. Private lessons are limited to 18 students on a bi-monthly basis. Entrance into the Voice Studio is by audition only. CHOOSE YOUR PAYMENT PLAN Half-Semester Tuition Plan – Minimum Payment Plan: Tuition for the first half-semester is due in full at time of registration. Payment for each subsequent half-semester is due in full on the Student’s first class day in the weeks of November 18, January 27 and March 3 when continuing for the school year. (Refer to “Class Schedule & Tuition” chart for pricing.) Full Semester Tuition Plan or Discount Plan: Semester I Tuition is due in full at time of registration. Tuition for Semester II is due in full at the last class of Semester I (Refer to “Class Schedule & Tuition” chart for pricing.) This Plan provides a reduction in tuition and is recommended for students who take more than one class per week, or prefer to make two payments per year! Private Voice Lessons are packaged in 4-lesson increments and require a 4-lesson minimum payment in advance. Tuition is due at the first lesson (starting at registration), and at every forth lesson thereafter. (Refer to “Class Schedule & Tuition” Chart for pricing.) PAYMENTS BY MAIL ARE TO BE SENT TO NJYT’S BILLING ADDRESS: 656 WESTFIELD AVENUE, WESTFIELD, NJ 07090

OTHER FEES Registration Fee: $40. This is a nonrefundable, annual fee due at registration. Late Fee: $20. This fee is imposed when tuition is not paid on time in accordance with your “Payment Plan.” The Late Fee, along with the Tuition payment, is due on the Student’s next day of class without exception or Student will not be readmitted to class. Check-Return Fee: $35. This additional fee is imposed when your check is returned to NJYT due to insufficient funds or any other default issued by your bank. The full Check amount including the Check-Return Fee must be paid to NJYT in cash not later than one (1) week following NJYT’s notice to you of the returned check. Reinstatement Fee: $35. This fee is due when Student elects to rejoin Class after three absences and has the prior approval to do so by the School’s Artistic Director. A Nonprofit Professional Youth-Theatre Company

CLASS SCHEDULE & TUITION October 6, 2014 – May 6, 2015 (Schedule and Tuition Subject to Change)

Class

Day

Studio

Class Time (Hrs)

BALLET I (ages 8-12) VOICE *** MUSICAL THEATRE I ** BEGINNERS BALLET (ages 13 to Adult) TAP I VOICE *** TAP II/III ACT. ADV. (INT. II) VOICE ACT. BEG. II ACT. BEG. III * MUSICAL THEATRE II ** ACT. BEG. I VOICE *** ACT. INT. I (TEENS) BALLET/JAZZ I BALLET/JAZZ II

Mon. Mon. Mon. Mon Mon. Mon. Mon Mon. Tues. Tues. Tues. Tues. Wed. Wed. Wed. Wed. Wed.

1 V 1 2 1 V 1 1 V 2 2 1 2 V 2 1 1

1 0.5 1.5 1 1 0.5 1 1.5 0.5 1.25 1.25 1.5 1.25 0.5 1.5 1.5 1.5

Time

Start Day

4:00-5:00 PM 4:30-5:00 PM 5:00-6:30 PM 5:30-6:30 PM 6:30-7:30 PM 6:30-7:30 PM 7:30-8:30 PM 7:30-9:00 PM 5:30-7:00 PM 6:00-7:15 PM 7:15-8:30 PM 7:00-8:30PM 5:00-6:15 PM 6:30-8:30 PM 6:30-8:00 PM 6:30-8:00 PM 8:00-9:30 PM

10/6/2014 10/6/2014 10/6/2014 10/6/2014 10/6/2014 10/6/2014 10/6/2014 10/6/2014 10/7/2014 10/7/2014 10/7/2014 10/7/2014 10/8/2014 10/8/2014 10/8/2014 10/8/2014 10/8/2014

* ACT. BEG. III on Tues. may go to 8:15 PM, depending on the registered number of students for the lass. ** MUSICAL THEATRE requires student to take at least 1 Dance Class weekly in addition to Musical Theatre. *** PRIVATE VOICE requires a payment of $200 in advance for four classes.

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HalfSemester Tuition

Semester Discount Plan

172

333

240 172 172 181 172 184

465 333 333 349 333 355

181 181 240 181

349 349 465 349

184 181 181

355 349 349

SCHOOL POLICIES Student Placement: Determined and governed by the School Faculty, a student’s placement will be commensurate with his/her level of skill and experience.

Absenteeism & Tardiness: Students are expected to attend their scheduled classes on a regular, timely basis and are asked not to schedule other activities or appointments that affect their attendance. Only illness or emergency is considered an excused absence from class. In such instance, a Student (or Student’s parent or guardian) must notify NJYT (908-233-3200) of the illness or emergency within 12–24 hours prior to the absence. An absence from class for reasons other than illness or emergency respectfully requires 24-hours advance notice to NJYT. Promptness is an essential part of training and, therefore, it is essential that students arrive to class on time. Tardiness (late arrival to class) interferes with a student’s progress and disturbs other students in the class. Reasonable explanations may be acceptable, but habitual tardiness is not acceptable and may, at the discretion of the Class Instructor, disallow a student’s return to class. A Student who is absent from or late to class three (3) times in a Semester for reasons other than illness or emergency will be suspended from that class and subject to a Reinstatement Fee (See “Other Fees”), if the student elects to rejoin that class. A Student in Private Voice is assigned a specific time-slot (a specific day and time, constant from lesson to lesson during the school year) for the period of his/her paid enrollment in Private Voice. Lessons are scheduled once a week or once every two weeks. (Minimum enrollment is 4 private lessons.) Each Voice student, within the first two weeks following enrollment, will receive a Contact List of names and phone numbers of all the students enrolled in Private Voice lessons. If, for reasons other than illness or emergency, a voice student cannot attend his/her scheduled voice lesson, then the student, student’s parent(s) or guardian must (1) provide NJYT with 48-hours advance notice of the absence, and (2) prior to the absence, personally arrange to exchange lessons with another NJYT voice student (on the Contact List) or to find another voice student (on the Contact list) willing to take the lesson in question as an additional lesson. In either case, the intended absentee or his/her parent(s)/guardian must notify the school with the name of the student who will fill the time-slot. If the time-slot cannot be filled, then the student intending to be absent will assume the cost of the lesson.

Makeup Class: A Dance, Acting or Musical Theatre student returning to class from an excused absence may, in addition to that class, take any (age-/skill-appropriate) class of his/her choosing (except for Private Voice class) as a makeup. A private voice student returning from an excused absence may take an open voice slot (when available and only if the Student’s recent payment covers that slot) or a musical theatre class (age-/skill-appropriate) as a makeup. The makeup class for an excused absence is at no additional cost, provided that NJYT is notified of the absence within the hours specified under the Absenteeism policy above. Any unexcused absence does not entitle the student to a free class makeup.

Registration Fee and Initial Class Tuition: Both are due at time of registration, either in cash or by personal check made payable to NJYT. NEITHER WILL BE PRORATED OR REFUNDABLE. Students who owe Tuition for prior-year classes will not be allowed in any class in the current year until back tuition is paid in full, along with a Late Payment Fee (See “Other Fees”). Without exception, class tuition is to be paid in advance or on the day tuition is due for your selected Payment Plan.

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SCHOOL POLICIES Changing Payment Plan: You may switch your “Payment Plan” only once in a semester. This may only occur within the first two weeks of the semester for the new Plan to apply.

Student Recital (The Cabaret): NJYT will showcase, in the form of a theatrical concert, review or other public presentation, the students nurtured throughout the school year in acting, musical theatre, dance and voice. A Student interested in participating in the Cabaret must meet all the following requirements: a) Class tuition for the year, including registration and any other fees, if applicable, must be paid in full in accordance with his/her payment plan; b) Student must not have more than three (3) unexcused absences in a semester; c) Student must audition for the Cabaret and, if selected, must attend all technical and dress rehearsals; and d) Student must attend his/her scheduled class(es) during the two weeks prior to the Cabaret performances. If Student does not comply with all the above (a-d), Student will not be permitted to perform in the Cabaret Recital. There is a NOMINAL ENTRANCE FEE for patrons of the CABARET. (See page 2 for fees.) PROCEEDS FROM THE CABARET BENEFIT NJYT’S PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL and PROFESSIONAL SUMMER YOUTH-THEATRE PROGRAM. (CABARET is subject to cancellation at the discretion of the Artistic Director.)

Studio/Facility Damage: Student and its parent(s) or guardian shall be fully liable for the repair or replacement of any part of the premises deliberately altered, defaced, mutilated, changed, or otherwise damaged by the Student.

Insurance: Student or Student's parent(s) or legal guardian shall maintain, at its sole cost, Primary Accident Medical insurance to cover Student while in class or on studio premises.

Cast of OKLAHOMA!, Summer 2014

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FACULTY CYNTHIA MERYL (Acting, Musical Theatre, Voice) is the Artistic Director and Master Teacher for NJYT’s School for the Performing Arts. A professional theatre arts educator for forty-three years, she works with all age groups, elementary through college students, teaching acting and musical theatre classes, providing private training/coaching in voice, as well as free audition workshops to high schools throughout New Jersey. Ms. Meryl is also Stage Director of NJYT’s professional productions at various professional theatres in NJ. Her stage direction credits include 40 major musicals and plays including last summer’s NJYT production, Oklahoma! Other directorial credits include Smokey Joe’s Café, Kiss Me, Kate, Rent, Sweeney Todd, 1776, Midnight Madness (the new musical with Book and Lyrics by Cynthia Meryl, Music by Jack Bender), Carousel and Guys and Dolls, to name a few. Since 1998, the shows have been produced at and in association with such theatres as the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Morris Museum’s Bickford Theatre, the Algonquin Arts Theatre and Centenary Stage, receiving rave reviews from theatre critic Peter Filichia of the Star Ledger and TheatreMania.com. NJYT’s Ragtime,The Musical in 2006 and Sweeney Todd in 2009 were not only lauded by Peter Filichia as “Best Musical Revival,” but held Cynthia Meryl as “Best Director of a Musical” in New Jersey. Ms. Meryl has also directed and adapted for the stage a radio version of A Christmas Carol and all of NJYT’s Cabaret Recitals. Her performance credits as a professional actress include the original award-winning Broadway musical Nine with Raul Julia, My Fair Lady opposite Noel Harrison, Nellie in South Pacific opposite Giorgio Tozzi, and the list goes on. ALBERTA HANDELMAN (Acting) has been teaching acting for more than 40 years. A professional actress, director, and founder and past artistic director of the award-winning Blooming Grove Theater Ensemble, her greatest pleasure continues to be in the training of young actors. Ms. Handelman currently teaches at NJYT, Broadway Performing Arts, and the Blooming Grove Theater Ensemble Conservatory. She has taught acting and theater at Orange County Community College, Arts High School, Science Park High School, Broadway Bound Theatrical and Dance Center, the Hudson Guild, New York City public and private schools, Long Lake Camp for the Arts, and French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts. She frequently teaches at the Montclair Adult School. Ms. Handelman’s acting credits include the roles of Mrs. Cage in Mrs. Cage, Edna in Prisoner of Second Avenue, Golde in Fiddler on the Roof, Kate in Broadway Bound, Goodie Putnam in The Crucible, Katie in Finishing Touches, Melissa in Love Letters, Dru in The Young and Fair, Pitti-Sing in The Mikado, and Cory in Barefoot in the Park. Her NY and regional professional directorial credits include Romeo and Juliet, A Man for All Seasons, Mass Appeal, and the premiere of the operetta Rappaccini's Daughter. Ms. Handelman earned her M.A. from Columbia University and her B.A. from Barnard College, and she received her theater training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and Northwestern University. She studied dance at the Lippel School and studies voice with Dr. Stephen Oosting. Ms. Handelman is a member of Actors Equity Association and holds state teaching certificates in Speech Arts and Dramatics and in English. ALONZO HALL (Tap/Ballet/Jazz) began his dance training at age eleven at the Plainfield Performing Arts Center. He later studied ballet, jazz, and modern dance at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and attended Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts where he received his B.F.A in Dance under the direction of Sherry Alban, Paulette Sears and Julia Ritter. As a member of the school’s pre-professional dance company known as University Dance Works under the direction of Randy James, he performed works by Ronald K. Brown, Benoit-Swan Pouffer, Xiao-Xiong Zhang, Randy James, Ferdinand Dejesus, and Marie Alonzo. Post graduation, Mr. Hall had the pleasure of performing with Clarissa Newby-Phillips, Crystal Newby-Reynolds, and most recently The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra as guest dancer in the Spring of 2013. Mr. Hall is currently member of Marie Alonzo’s Tangerine Dance Collective in Princeton, New Jersey and is a dance instructor, performer, and choreographer.

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JAMES CAMPODONICO (Musical Director/Accompanist) has taught vocal music for thirty-three years in the New Jersey public school system and has acted as musical director to over one hundred musical productions. An accomplished composer, his musical Between The Lines premiered at Luna Stage in Montclair and received the New Jersey Tony Award for “Best Musical Score Of The Year” from drama critic Peter Filichia of the Star Ledger. His musical Murder On Broadway also had a successful presentation at the York Theater in NYC. Mr. Campodonico’s notable engagements include collaborations with the Paper Mill Playhouse, North Shore Music Theater, Luna Stage, Westbury Music Fair, Two River Theater in Red Bank, The Gateway Playhouse, and teaching musical theater classes at the Whole Theater in Montclair, NJ under the artistic direction of Olympia Dukakis. GREG PARADIS has been active in the theater and music world of Morris and Bergen County since moving to New Jersey in 2011. A life-long Musical Theater Person, Greg brings a high level of passion and dedication and is thrilled and honored to be working with NJYT. Elsewhere, he teaches Theater Arts and Choral Sectionals at Chatham Middle School and Lafayette School in the School District of the Chathams, and has served as Musical Director and accompanist for various theaters, notably Blackbox Studios in conjunction with Bergen PAC in Englewood, bringing to life such productions as Falsettos, Next to Normal, and Rent (School Edition). In Chatham, he also serves as Middle School Production Director (2014 production of Pirates of Penzance Jr), and previously worked as Assistant Director of Madison Junior School's 2013 production of Beauty and the Beast Jr. He also developed and directed the Madison Junior School a Capella Ensemble, and directs the all-boy ensemble, the Grace Church Gargoyles. He intends on pursuing a master's degree in a field involving education in the performing arts.

Curly (Mason Kugelman) and Jud Fry (Andrew Martinez) in NJYT’s Oklahoma!

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ATTENTION Youth-Theatre PARTICIPANTS

Our professional youth-theatre production of Oklahoma! this past summer was a huge success. NJYT extends its sincere thanks and gratitude to all who helped make it possible. NJYT hopes to continue this program in association with various professional theatres in New Jersey and to again co-produce our youth-theatre production in summer 2015. Audition and Performance information for the 2015 production/s will be posted in February 2015 on NJYT’S website: www.njyouththeatre.org For further information, call NJYT at 908-233-3200 or E-mail to [email protected]

In support of future productions and classes, we look forward to again seeing all of our students and parents at our summer productions, fundraising events, and, of course, at our primary annual fundraiser: the Cabaret Recital (May 2, 2015). Thank you for your support.

Cast members in NJYT’s 2014 production of Oklahoma! All show Photography in this brochure by Warren Westura

A Nonprofit Professional Youth-Theatre Company

NEW JERSEY YOUTH THEATRE

656 Westfield Ave. Westfield, NJ 07090

TO:

__________________________ __________________________ __________________________

A Nonprofit Professional Youth-Theatre Company

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